Beginning Homeschooling

I'm new to homeschooling. What do I need to do?

Can I start homeschooling mid-year?

Are there certain requirements for each grade level?

Can you recommend materials for my children?

Registering your children as homeschoolers

Are SC's online virtual charter school students considered homeschoolers?

How do I homeschool my high school student?

I'd like to meet other homeschoolers

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I'm new to homeschooling. What do I need to do?

1) Read the legal requirements for homeschooling in South Carolina.

2) Read through all of the Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) in our FAQ section.

3) Decide on the resources and method you'd like to start out with, but realize that it's perfectly fine to make adjustments as you go along.

4) Choose an association to register with, complete the paperwork, and send it in. Associations that participate in the Carolina Homeschooler network are listed on our associations page. Visit their websites and choose the one you feel will best meet the needs of your family.

5) Read the Record-Keeping section in our FAQs so you can document your children's work once you begin.

6) Join our discussion forums so you can get help and support as you go along. Our newsletter mailing list will keep you informed about changes and additions to our website. We're here to help!

Can I withdraw my child from school and start homeschooling after school starts?

Yes, you can begin homeschooling any time during the year. Talk to your association director about the best way to withdraw your child with the least hassle. Most school districts are respectful of a parent's decision to homeschool. Your association will advise you about the best way to handle the process in your district. Remember that SC law mandates that you teach for 180 days per year. Count the days spent previously in public school as part of your attendance total for the year - you don't need to start over.

Are there certain requirements for each grade level?

According to state law, you must cover reading, writing, math, science, and social studies each year (in grades 7-12, reading becomes "literature", and writing becomes "composition"). However, what you teach within those general areas is up to you. There is no requirement that a child must learn Geography or Earth Science by a specific grade.

Lots of "experts" disagree about what children should learn and when. Schools in different states, different counties within a state, different schools within the same district, and even different classrooms in the same school often disagree, so I wouldn't worry too much about trying to meet someone else's standard.

A general guideline, however, is often helpful to new homeschoolers, and even more experienced homeschoolers who want new ideas. I recommend World Book's Typical Course of Study for this purpose. If you decide to use it, remember it's just a guideline - feel free to deviate from it as needed.

Can you recommend materials? Do you provide curriculum counseling?

Each family is different and each child within the family may learn differently. It's difficult to recommend specific resources unless I know more about the age and ability levels of each child. Please read the suggestions about how to find appropriate resources in the Homeschooling Methods and Resources section of this FAQ, and consider joining our discussion forums for tips and advice from other homeschooling families.

How do I register my children as homeschoolers?
There are basically two ways to legally homeschool in SC, through your local school district or through a homeschool association. The school district requires standardized testing, more contact, and more paperwork. Registering through an association is less intrusive and allows for more parental control. Carolina Homeschooler network associations are listed in the associations page.

My children are enrolled through one of SC's online virtual charter schools. Are we homeschooling?

No. Your children are public school students. You cannot choose your own curriculum and your children must adhere to SC curriculum standards and daily/hourly attendance requirements. They (and you) will have to answer to a certified teacher who will monitor their learning, and your children must participate in statewide testing. Homeschoolers have much more freedom to choose our own curriculum, subjects, methods of assessment, and days/hours of attendance. Our children are not public school students, can learn at their own pace, and don't have to answer to a certified teacher. This is not to imply that homeschooling is better (or worse) than virtual charter schooling -- it is a legal distinction that needs to remain clear. Carolina Homeschooler believes that the focus should be what's best for the children, not on who's "better."

How do I homeschool my high school student?

If your child is planning to go to college and compete for state scholarships, more record-keeping is involved. Even if your student isn't planning on going to college, you may have questions about the best way to navigate the high school years. The best place to find answers is to join us in our discussion forums and ask questions. We'll be happy to help!

I'd like to meet other homeschoolers

We'd like to meet you, too! Come visit our discussion forums and browse around to meet other homeschoolers and jump into our discussions. We also recommend a visit our support groups page to find homeschoolers who live near you. We look forward to getting to know you!

We hope this section of our FAQs has helped you to better understand how to homeschool in South Carolina. If you have any questions or concerns about the answers here, please email us and/or consult an attorney. Although we've tried to include the questions that new homeschoolers seem to ask the most, we're not attorneys or "experts" and can't give you legal advice.

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Disclaimer: Any legal information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered complete, professional legal advice.